5 Common Types Of Truck Accidents
The trucking industry is quite crucial to the US economy. The trucking industry creates employment for millions of people, including drivers, and ships billions of tons yearly. Unfortunately, trucks can also be dangerous. Truck accident-related injuries and deaths are quite common. According to the IIHS, in 2020 alone, 4,014 people perished in truck accidents. 68% of the people who died in truck accidents in 2020 were occupants of cars and other passenger vehicles, 15% were occupants of trucks, and 16% were bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorcyclists.
There are many types of truck accidents that can result in severe injuries and even death. However, some truck accidents happen more than others. The following are five of the most common types of truck accidents.
Rollover Accidents
As the name suggests, a rollover truck accident is a type of accident that occurs when a truck rolls, either on its roof or side. A rollover accident can result in a truck rolling once or several times. When a truck rolls over, it can crash the vehicles on its path, resulting in injuries or even death. Also, when a truck rolls over, any cargo becomes a hazard to other road users.
Jackknife Accidents
This accident usually happens when a truck is traveling at high speed. A jackknife truck accident is a type of accident that occurs when a driver suddenly hits the brake, causing the truck to fold at a 90-degree angle. When a truck driver traveling at high speed suddenly hits the brake, the cab stops moving in unison with the trailer, resulting in the trailer swinging towards the cab.
When a truck jackknifes, it can easily roll over and cause danger.
Wide-turn Accidents
Because of size, a large truck must swing out farther when turning. For example, when a truck driver is making a right turn, they must swing out to the left. If such a turn is not done correctly, it can result in a serious accident. For example, if a truck driver making such a turn is unaware of oncoming traffic, they can cause a serious accident.
Blind Spot Accidents
A blind spot on a truck is where the driver cannot see other vehicles or road users. For example, if a truck driver cannot see other vehicles when changing lanes, the vehicles near the truck are in danger. A truck’s blind spots are more significant than the blind spots in a smaller car. In fact, a truck’s blind spots are so huge to the extent that they are referred to as “No Man’s Land.”
Rear-end Accidents
Rear-end truck accidents happen when a truck’s front part hits the back part of another vehicle. Most rear-end truck accidents happen because of tailgating. This is when a truck driver fails to leave enough space between the truck and the vehicle in front.
Contact Us for Legal Help
If you were in a Florida truck accident, it is crucial that you know you have legal rights. If another party’s negligence caused the accident, you might be eligible to recover compensation for your injuries and damages. To learn more about your rights, feel free to contact our West Palm Beach personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Tampa, Jacksonville, Bradenton, Ocala, Orlando, and Daytona Beach areas.
Source:
iihs.org/topics/fatality-statistics/detail/large-trucks#:~:text=Posted%20May%202022.-,Trends,were%20pedestrians%2C%20bicyclists%20or%20motorcyclists
